CAFE MANAGER

Compass Group USA; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Vision

Life Insurance/ AD

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state

Associate Shopping Program

Health and Wellness Programs

Discount Marketplace

Identity Theft Protection

Pet Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Personal Leave

Job summary

Bon Appetit Management Company is seeking a Café Manager to lead daily café operations and deliver an exceptional dining experience while upholding the highest standards of food quality, service, and hospitality. The role requires energetic leadership to drive team development, financial performance, and compliance across food safety and sanitation.

The ideal candidate excels in a fast-paced setting, enjoys directing teams, and is passionate about guest satisfaction and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• One to three years of food service, hospitality, or café management experience.
• Experience in corporate dining, restaurants, hotels, higher education, healthcare, or other high‑volume food service environments.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, cash handling, inventory management, and daily café operations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and general computer applications.
• ServSafe or Department of Health Food Safety Certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, train, and develop a team of food service associates to deliver exceptional customer service.
• Oversee the daily operation of the café, ensuring efficiency, quality, and consistent execution of company standards.
• Plan, promote, and execute special events, promotions, and café initiatives that enhance the guest experience.
• Monitor food quality, cleanliness, food safety, and sanitation to ensure compliance with all regulatory and company standards.
• Manage inventory, labor, operating expenses, and cash handling while supporting financial goals and budget expectations.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and overall business performance.
• Foster a positive, collaborative work environment focused on teamwork, accountability, and hospitality.
• Build strong relationships with clients, guests, and internal partners.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Job description

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Our Passion is Food!
At Bon Appetit Management Company we are committed to two things, great food and outstanding service! At Bon Appetit you won't find our managers referring to a corporate recipe book or our chefs microwaving the lunch special. We do not have standardized recipes or central commissaries, instead, our chefs and managers are expected to stay abreast of current culinary trends and bring cutting edge food into their cafes. We are a restaurant company that operates in contract food service. That means you will have the freedom to be creative, take risks, and truly shine. We are committed to our staff growing, trying new things, and learning all that they can. Our rapid growth and breadth of accounts translates into exciting opportunities for our people!

Job Summary

TheCafé Manager is responsible for leading the daily operations of a café while delivering an exceptional dining experience for guests and maintaining the highest standards of food quality, service, and hospitality. This hands‑on leadership role oversees team development, operational performance, financial results, and compliance with food safety and sanitation standards.

The ideal candidate is an energetic hospitality professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys leading teams, and is passionate about creating an outstanding guest experience while driving operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Lead, coach, train, and develop a team of food service associates to deliver exceptional customer service.

Oversee the daily operation of the café, ensuring efficiency, quality, and consistent execution of company standards.

Plan, promote, and execute special events, promotions, and café initiatives that enhance the guest experience.

Monitor food quality, cleanliness, food safety, and sanitation to ensure compliance with all regulatory and company standards.

Manage inventory, labor, operating expenses, and cash handling while supporting financial goals and budget expectations.

Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and overall business performance.

Foster a positive, collaborative work environment focused on teamwork, accountability, and hospitality.

Build strong relationships with clients, guests, and internal partners.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's degree preferred.

One to three years of food service, hospitality, or café management experience.

Experience in corporate dining, restaurants, hotels, higher education, healthcare, military dining, or other high-volume food service environments.

Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.

Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, cash handling, inventory management, and daily café operations.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint) and general computer applications.

ServSafe or Department of Health Food Safety Certification preferred.

Operational Expectations

Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple priorities.

Demonstrate a hands‑on leadership style with a commitment to operational excellence, guest satisfaction, and team development.

Maintain a professional, positive presence while delivering exceptional hospitality and service every day.

Bon Appetit is a member of Compass Group USA.

Associates at Bon Appetit are offered many fantastic benefits.

• Medical
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Personal Leave

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_BAMCO.pdf

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Bon Appetit maintains a drug-free workplace.